Global Influential Contributions in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: Bibliometric Analysis of the 100 Most-Cited Articles
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific literature on Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in the Web of Science. Material and Methods: This bibliometric analysis was performed using data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The search included terms related to DMEK and was limited to articles published in journals categorized under ''Ophthalmology'' within the Science Citation Index Expanded. Only articles with 50 or more citations, published between September 2006-May 2024, were included. The top 100 most-cited articles were identified and selected for detailed analysis. Results: Our search identified 2,305 articles, with a significant annual increase in publications (p<0.0001). Among the top 100 most-cited articles, 2011 and 2015 were the most productive years. Clinical studies dominated (78%), most of which were retrospective (56%) and provided level 4 evidence. Case series (41%) and cohort studies (26%) were the prevalent clinical designs. No significant differences were found in citation metrics according to publication year, study design, article type, or research focus (all p>0.05). Most articles (66%) were published in the journals Cornea, Ophthalmology, and American Journal of Ophthalmology. The top contributing countries were the Netherlands (31%), the United States (28%), and Germany (26%). Seventy authors appeared multiple times, with 17 serving as first authors on 2 or more articles. Conclusion: The rapid rise in DMEK publications since 2006 highlights its growing recognition in endothelial keratoplasty. Although research has advanced, the limited number of randomized controlled trials and dominance of retrospective studies suggest a need to improve the overall quality of evidence.
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7203586583